Covering roughly modern Afganistan, Pakistan and northern India, the isolated Indo-Greek kingdoms survived for more than two centuries. Starting with the renegade Seleucid  More »

Covering roughly modern Afganistan, Pakistan and northern India, the isolated Indo-Greek kingdoms survived for more than two centuries. Starting with the renegade Seleucid satrap Diodotus in 256 B.C., Alexander's successors in India became increasingly isolated, eventually becoming an island of Hellenic people, completely cut off from their western kinsmen. Surrounded on all sides, more than 40 Greek kings ruled this area until they succumbed to the superior numbers of local people and subsequently disappeared from history. By around 130 B.C., the Bactrian dynasties were overrun by Scythian invaders while the Indian kingdoms lasted about another century until they were conquered by the Kushans. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. The portraits on Indo-Greeks coins are very realistic distinctly expressing the most powerful features and minutest personal details. These master engravers were no doubt very familiar with Hellinstic art. Perhaps no detail better reveals merging of cultures that is the foundation of the Indo-Greek Kingdoms than the bilingual legends on the coin. The obverse legend is in Greek while a legend in Kharosti encircles Herakles on the reverse. This legend reads: Maharajasa tratarasa Zailasa and can be translated as, “of the king, savior, Zoilos.” Historically, the coins of India have been highly influenced by Indo-Greek examples such as this coin. Given the stunning beauty and striking realism, who would not aspire to imitate this coin? - (C.2288)   « Less

By the time Apollodotos II began his reign around 80 B.C., the Indo-Greek kingdoms were a shadow of their former glorious selves. Apollodotos was able to reverse this trend  More »

By the time Apollodotos II began his reign around 80 B.C., the Indo-Greek kingdoms were a shadow of their former glorious selves. Apollodotos was able to reverse this trend to some extent, reconquering the former capital of Taxila in western Punjab from Scythian rule and expanding eastward, taking back territory that had been lost to various native Indian kingdoms. Based on numismatic evidence, it is surmised that Apollodotos was a member of the dynasty founded by the great King Menander I. Historians speculate that Apollodotos II’s reign may have actually started in Taxila after the death of King Maues. Apollodotos may have been related to the Indo-Scythian king (as later Indo-Greek kings are believed to be of both mixed Indian and Scythian origin) and inherited the throne, or he may have defeated Maues himself or his descendants and reclaimed the city. It is also possible that Apollodotos II was allied with the Scythians. His reign is thought to have ended around 65 B.C., and the Indo-Greek kingdoms became fractured and began to decline once again. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient emperor and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.2294)   « Less

Azes II, who reigned approximately from 35 B.C.-5 A.D., was the last of the so-called Indo- Scythian to rule the region in northern India once dominated by the Greek Bactrian  More »

Azes II, who reigned approximately from 35 B.C.-5 A.D., was the last of the so-called Indo- Scythian to rule the region in northern India once dominated by the Greek Bactrian Kingdom. Little is know about his reign, and after his death the Kushan tribe, which had been steadily expanding, conquered the region and established their own empire. Although they had lost the wealth of Bactria, some form of Indo- Scythian rule remained in northern India until the 5th century A.D. The coinage of Azes II follows a standard bilingual Greek Kharoshti type first introduced by the Indo-Greek Kingdoms of northwestern India and represents the lengths to which the Scythians went in order to accommodate their Greek-cultured populations. One innovation of Indo-Scythian coinage was the substitution of the image of the king on horseback on the obverse in place of the standard bust-type found on Bactrian and Indo- Greek coinage, no doubt revealing the importance horsemanship played in this nomadic culture. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient emperor and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.4010)   « Less

Azes II, who reigned approximately from 35 B.C.-5 A.D., was the last of the so-called Indo- Scythian to rule the region in northern India once dominated by the Greek Bactrian  More »

Azes II, who reigned approximately from 35 B.C.-5 A.D., was the last of the so-called Indo- Scythian to rule the region in northern India once dominated by the Greek Bactrian Kingdom. Little is know about his reign, and after his death the Kushan tribe, which had been steadily expanding, conquered the region and established their own empire. Although they had lost the wealth of Bactria, some form of Indo- Scythian rule remained in northern India until the 5th century A.D. The coinage of Azes II follows a standard bilingual Greek Kharoshti type first introduced by the Indo-Greek Kingdoms of northwestern India and represents the lengths to which the Scythians went in order to accommodate their Greek-cultured populations. One innovation of Indo-Scythian coinage was the substitution of the image of the king on horseback on the obverse in place of the standard bust-type found on Bactrian and Indo- Greek coinage, no doubt revealing the importance horsemanship played in this nomadic culture. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient emperor and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.4015)   « Less

By the time Apollodotos II began his reign around 80 B.C., the Indo-Greek kingdoms were a shadow of their former glorious selves. Apollodotos was able to reverse this trend  More »

By the time Apollodotos II began his reign around 80 B.C., the Indo-Greek kingdoms were a shadow of their former glorious selves. Apollodotos was able to reverse this trend to some extent, reconquering the former capital of Taxila in western Punjab from Scythian rule and expanding eastward, taking back territory that had been lost to various native Indian kingdoms. Based on numismatic evidence, it is surmised that Apollodotos was a member of the dynasty founded by the great King Menander I. Historians speculate that Apollodotos II’s reign may have actually started in Taxila after the death of King Maues. Apollodotos may have been related to the Indo-Scythian king (as later Indo-Greek kings are believed to be of both mixed Indian and Scythian origin) and inherited the throne, or he may have defeated Maues himself or his descendants and reclaimed the city. It is also possible that Apollodotos II was allied with the Scythians. His reign is thought to have ended around 65 B.C., and the Indo-Greek kingdoms became fractured and began to decline once again. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is a memorial an ancient emperor and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.4148)   « Less

Menander is the only Yavana (person of Greek origin in Indian language) king who has become celebrated in ancient Indian literature. He is known as `Milinda' who had his  More »

Menander is the only Yavana (person of Greek origin in Indian language) king who has become celebrated in ancient Indian literature. He is known as `Milinda' who had his capital at Sakala (modern Sialkot in Pakistan, Euthymedia in Greek). He is one of the main characters in a Pali (ancient language of India) treatise called the Milindpanha (Questions of Milinda). This book describes fundamental principles of Buddhist philosophy, narrated in form of a dialogue between King Milinda and Buddhist scholar Nagasena. Thus Menander, who converted to Buddhism, is well known for Indian historians as a philosopher with superior knowledge in various schools of thought and not as a mighty conqueror. He was born at Charikar, a country between Kabul and Panjshir rivers, a connecting link between Bactria and India. Menander has earned tremendous fame as a great ruler not only in India but also in Greek world. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. The extraordinary numismatic record of Menander shows greater variety and wider distribution than those of any other Indo-Greek ruler. This is a bilingual coin with interrupted legends. On the obverse, the legends are in Greek, translated as, “King Soter Menander.” On the reverse, the legend is in ancient Indian language Prakrit, written in Kharoshthi script, reads Maharajasa tratasa Menandras, translated as “-of the king, savior, Menander.” This coin is a memorial an ancient King and his kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.7123)   « Less

Apollodotus I was one of the generals of Demetrius I of Bactria, the Greco-Bactrian king who invaded northern India in 180 BC. He issued bilingual square coins and ruled an  More »

Apollodotus I was one of the generals of Demetrius I of Bactria, the Greco-Bactrian king who invaded northern India in 180 BC. He issued bilingual square coins and ruled an Indo-Greek kingdom between 174-165 BC that stretched from Taxila in the Punjab to areas of Sindh. There are several theories regarding the symbolism of the animals. The elephant on the obverse may be a symbol of the city of Taxila. Alternatively, it may refer to the Buddhist legend in which a white elephant enters the womb of Maya, the Buddha’s mother, in a dream. The bull may also represent a city or a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva. - (LC.224 )   « Less

The Seleucid Kingdom was established by Seleukos I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, following the death of Alexander and the division of his empire. At its peak  More »

The Seleucid Kingdom was established by Seleukos I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, following the death of Alexander and the division of his empire. At its peak under Seleukos I and Antiochus I, the Seleucid Kingdom comprised almost the whole of the conquests of Alexander with the exception of Egypt. Seleukis and Pieria, also known as Seleucia Pieria, was a Mediterranean port located near the mouth of the Orontes River in modern Turkey. It served as the main port for the Seleucid capital of Antioch, much the same way Ostia would later serve as the main port for Rome. Functioning as both a commercial and naval seaport, the city was of immense strategic importance to the Seleucids. During their war with Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleukis and Pieria was captured, liberated, and recaptured several times until finally in 219 B.C., Seleucid King Antiochus III the Great liberated the city from Ptolemaic occupation for the final time. Soon after, the city obtained autonomy and was granted the right to mint coinage, revealing the extent of its commercial wealth. Historically, Seleukis and Pieria is noted as being the point of departure from which St. Paul set forth on his first missionary journey. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to a lost kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.0189)   « Less

According to the writer Strabo, Kyme was the largest and noblest of the cities in Aeolis, a region of Asia Minor. The legendary founder of the city was the Amazon Kyme, whose  More »

According to the writer Strabo, Kyme was the largest and noblest of the cities in Aeolis, a region of Asia Minor. The legendary founder of the city was the Amazon Kyme, whose portrait begins to appear on their coinage after about 250 B.C. The people of Kyme were almost exclusively agricultural and the horse may symbolize their rural nature or perhaps was related to the god Poseidon. The amphora might relate to the cult of Apollo. The horse and amphora in combination may also be symbolic of the games. The inscription, “MHTROFANHS,” on the reverse refers to the name of the magistrate Metrophanes, under whose authority this coin was issued. The other Greek inscription, “KYMAION,” means “of” or “belonging to the people of Kyme.” Kyme was under the domination, successively of Persia, the Seleucids, the Attalids, and finally Rome. Ultimately, the city was devastated by an earthquake in A.D. 17. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to the glories of an ancient city passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.0399)   « Less

According to the writer Strabo, Kyme was the largest and noblest of the cities in Aeolis, a region of Asia Minor. The legendary founder of the city was the Amazon Kyme, whose  More »

According to the writer Strabo, Kyme was the largest and noblest of the cities in Aeolis, a region of Asia Minor. The legendary founder of the city was the Amazon Kyme, whose portrait begins to appear on their coinage after about 250 B.C. The people of Kyme were almost exclusively agricultural and the horse may symbolize their rural nature or perhaps was related to the god Poseidon. The amphora might relate to the cult of Apollo. The horse and amphora in combination may also be symbolic of the games. The inscription, “OLYMPIOS,” on the reverse refers to the name of the magistrate Olympios, under whose authority this coin was issued. The other Greek inscription, “KYMAION,” means “of” or “belonging to the people of Kyme.” Kyme was under the domination, successively of Persia, the Seleucids, the Attalids, and finally Rome. Ultimately, the city was devastated by an earthquake in A.D. 17. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to the glories of an ancient city passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.0400)   « Less